For a couple of years, I wondered to myself how the comic might end. Would it be happy or sad or maybe a little bit of both?

Then one night, not long after Hazel passed, Georgia and I were doing our nightly ritual of reading stories and saying prayers while Meghan was getting the baby to bed. I mentioned how I was thankful for Olive and the new cat, Mary Cupcake when Georgia matter-of-factly reminded me not to forget Hazel. And it was in that moment I decided that’s how the comic would end. By remembering Hazel and giving thanks.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everyone who’s followed the strip each week, retweeted it, liked it on Facebook, left nice comments, even purchased it at conventions and on Comixology; the list goes on and on. It was the fuel that kept the fire going and pushed me to put out the best comic I could for four solid years. So thank you.

Some people have asked me what’s next. To be honest with you, I’ve mostly been focusing on being a Dad to my girls these days, cramming in a little artwork here and there where I can. I don’t have another webcomic in the works at the moment, but who knows, maybe I’ll take another crack at it one of these days. Between you and me, I think the Sharksquatch deserves his own strip for a few years.

If any readers out there have ever had to make the decision of putting a pet to sleep (especially one who was an incredible friend), my heart goes out to you because it is absolutely one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

This is definitely the saddest page of CAAATS! that has ever been posted or ever will be posted. For a really long time I struggled with whether or not I should even include Hazel’s passing in the comic at all, but at the end of the day it just didn’t feel like something that should be ignored. Our pets can be such a big part of our lives, and one of the things I enjoyed most over the past four years was being able to share those experiences with other cat people (and even dog people) week in and week out. The happy ones and occasionally, the not so happy ones.

I know I say it a lot, probably too much but I’m so thankful for everyone who has shown this comic support over the years. With just three pages to go, I hope you’ll come along for the rest of the journey. See you next Wednesday for more CAAATS!